By: Evan Yang

The war in Ukraine is no longer just a material war, but one that fights for contol of a culture. Russia’s bombing is not only hitting civilian areas, but has also targeted cultural sites. According to reports, more than 260 important sites have been damaged.

A prime example of this is Donetsk Academic Regional Drama Theatre in Mariupol. Though clearly marked as a place that was sheltering citizens and known as a place of national importance in Ukraine, it was still bombed. In this incident alone, almost 600 people were killed. The Museum of Local History in Okhtyrka, the Invankiv Museum in Kyiv, and the Borodyanka monument to Taras Shevchenko, a famous Ukrainian poet, were also hit.

Alexandra Xanthaki, a cultural rights reporter said these sites of cultural importance “are all part of the identity of the people in Ukraine; their loss will have a lasting effect.”

The war has already sparked solidarity among art enthusiasts and experts alike. Celebrities, orchestras, and television channels have all expressed allegiance to Ukraine. Experts from all over the world are rushing to preserve them underground. Volunteers and civilians have also taken part, such as by piling sandbags around a statue of the Duke of Richelieu.

The U.S. government and educators are also playing their part. For example, Hayden Bassett, the assistant curator of archaeology at the Virginia Museum of Natural History, monitors many places of importance in Ukraine via satellite.

Ultimately, while Russia’s military practices are very far from ideal, it is comforting to know that so many are dedicated to protecting the culture of Ukraine.